Obituary of Armand Ripepi

Armand A. ?Duke? Ripepi, 79, of Middleline Road, Ballston Spa, formerly of Amsterdam, passed away Friday, May 4, 2007 at The Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs. He was born in Amsterdam on April 20, 1928, a son of the late Joseph and Concetta Matarozzo Ripepi. Duke was raised and attended schools in Amsterdam. He joined the US Navy in 1946 and served on the battleships USS Wisconsin and USS Tanner. He was later stationed in Philadelphia and served on the USS Chandeleur. While in Philadelphia, Duke attended the Academy of Theatrical Arts. He was an accomplished musician who enjoyed his extracurricular work as an area band leader. Duke married the former Patricia Faber on June 2, 1957 at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam. He worked as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service for several years. Following his retirement from the US Postal Service, he worked at the Galway Golf Course until last year. Duke was a member of the American Legion Post #234 and the B.P.O.E. Lodge # 2619 in Ballston Spa. He was also a past member of the Musicians Union. He enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He will be missed by all who knew him. Duke?s loving family includes his wife of almost 50 years, Patricia Ripepi of Ballston Spa, three sons, Edwin Patrick Ripepi of New York City, Anthony Paige Ripepi of Charlotte, NC, and John Ripepi of Charlotte, NC, two daughters, Donna Ripepi of Ballston Spa and Erin Christopher Storm of Ballston Lake, two brothers, Ernest Phillis Ripepi of Amsterdam and Frank Sherrie Ripepi of Amsterdam, one sister, Josephine Sal Megna of Amsterdam, and four grandchildren, Elizabeth Hausman, Taylor Ripepi, Thomas Thompson and Ryan Ripepi. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Besides his parents, Duke was predeceased by two sisters, Rose Natale and Angie Martuscello, and a brother, Thomas Ripepi. Funeral Services will be at 8:30AM on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 9:15AM at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Martin DeRose as celebrant. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00PM at the funeral home. Interment will follow the mass in Galway Village Cemetery. Donations in Duke?s memory may be made to the Amsterdam High School Music Department in care of the funeral home.